Plainfield man in 'Dirty Laundry' cocaine ring pleads guilty

A Plainfield man who was part of a cocaine ring that operated in Somerset and Union counties pleaded guilty to multiple charges on Tuesday, including second-degree cocaine distribution and conspiracy to distribute, officials said.

Jose Monrroy Galdamez, 50, of St. Mary's Avenue, was one of 25 people arrested in a four-month investigation dubbed "Operation Dirty Laundry" because of the defendants' alleged propensity to conduct business at a number of coin laundries, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said.

Investigators seized more than $75,000 worth of cocaine. Authorities also confiscated $50,000 and three vehicles, Forrest said.

Galdamez, German Marquez and Maximino Bueno, all from Plainfield, ran the operation throughout areas between Plainfield and Somerville.

Galdamez told the judge that Bueno supplied him with cocaine, which he resold to Marquez and other individuals in the two counties, Forrest said. Galdamez used a Plainfield dwelling as a stash house.

Galdamez had arranged to purchase more than 5 ounces of cocaine from Bueno on the day he was arrested.

Galdamez appeared before Superior Court Judge Robert Reed in Somerville with defense attorney Patrick Masterpalo.